Defender Bondz N’Gala insists Barnet have shown they can compete in League Two and must now look to go on another unbeaten run following Saturday’s defeat by Mansfield Town.

The Bees were unbeaten in all competitions for five games from the end of October and start of November but have now failed to win in four, picking up a solitary point.

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat against the Stags, N’Gala was adamant the Bees can compete in League Two.

He said: “We’ve had some fantastic performances, some where we have got the win and some where we haven’t got the win – such as Plymouth and Portsmouth away – so we have shown we can definitely compete at this level.

“We’ve got to learn from that, build on that and hopefully get some more points on the board.”

The defender added: “Yes, we’re disappointed because they were soft goals to concede but we’ve just got to move on and look at improving.

“We know as a group we can go on a run and beat teams. We’ve proven that so we’ve got to pick ourselves up and do that again.”

With hindsight the decision by Mansfield captain Adam Chapman to switch ends and play with the wind in the first half proved key. However, N’Gala refused to blame the conditions for Barnet’s performance.

He said: “They won the toss and went with the wind but it’s a game of two halves so we knew we’d have the wind eventually and when we did, we went out there and created chances in the second half.

“The weather is something we can’t control but it does have a bearing on the game. However, both teams have the same advantage at some point so it’s how you use.

“It was a tough start going 1-0 down but we showed some good courage in the second half with ten men to go and create some chances.

“We just had a little bit more self-belief in the second half that we could go with the wind and create some chances and we went out at did that.”

N’Gala started all bar three league games last season as Barnet won the Conference for a record third time and is an ever-present in League Two this season.

But unlike last season, the former West Ham United defender has not had a settled partner at the heart of the Bees’ defence.

N’Gala and David Stephens were Martin Allen’s first-choice pairing last season but with Stephens gone, new signings Bira Dembele and Michael Nelson have both played alongside the 26-year-old.

“Michael Nelson is definitely someone I can learn from,” said N’Gala. “He is an experienced player, a good player and I always look to him for advice on how to further my game.

“Bira Dembele and Michael Nelson are both experienced campaigners and very good players; players I can learn from. I enjoy playing with them.”